Illegal cigarettes sniffed out in Preston by Trading Standards

More than 50 packs of contraband cigarettes were sniffed out by Trading Standards on Thursday.

Officers, police and two sniffer dogs called Bradley and Alfie, visited eight retail premises across the city and seized illegal tobacco.

Eleven bottles labelled as Glen’s vodka were also seized and are suspected to be counterfeit.

County Councillor Janice Hanson, Lancashire County Council cabinet member for public protection, said: “We regularly act on intelligence from the public, and the success of this operation shows that even the smallest piece of intelligence can lead to a good result.

“More and more people are beginning to understand the serious threat that illegal tobacco poses to our communities which also means fewer people tolerate it and are prepared to report their concerns.”

Nearly 1,000 packs of illegal tobacco products have been seized in Preston in the last six months.

Anyone with information about the sale of illegal tobacco should call the confidential Crimestoppers hotline on 0800 555 111 or report it via the Trading Standards Scambuster Stan Facebook page.